What does the future of agentic AI look like, and how close are we to building systems that truly mimic and enhance human reasoning? In this episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya joins Bidhan Roy, founder of Bagel, to explore the cutting edge of open-source AI and its transformative potential.

The conversation unpacks the concept of agentic AI—systems capable of reasoning, planning, and executing tasks with minimal human intervention—and the revolutionary infrastructure Bagel is building to enable collaborative development of open-source foundation models. Bidhan shares insights into groundbreaking AI research, including fine-tuning techniques, adapters, and cryptographic ownership models that empower developers and communities to monetize their AI contributions.

The episode also takes an in-depth look at large language models (LLMs): Do they genuinely understand the data they process, or are they merely "stochastic parrots" mimicking human reasoning? We delve into the mysterious "black box" nature of neural networks and the concerns surrounding AI models potentially feigning alignment with human goals.

From the challenges of reasoning in neural networks to the implications of quantum computing in AI development, this episode offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI and its significance for developers, researchers, and the future of innovation.

Tune in to discover how Bagel is shaping the next wave of decentralized, community-driven AI.

The future of monetizable open-source AI begins now.

Bagel: https://blog.bagel.net/
X: https://x.com/BagelOpenAI

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What is the Future of Open Source? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehya sits down with his business partner, Brian Fox, Co-founder of ABK Labs and the original author of the GNU Bash Shell. Brian, a pioneering figure in the open-source movement, offers valuable insights into its evolution from academic roots to its profound impact on modern technology, including the crypto and blockchain space.

Brian discusses the critical role of community and collaboration, exploring how open-source principles have driven innovation in fields like AI. He provides a unique perspective on the future of technology, discussing how AI can not only automate tasks but also empower individuals and accelerate progress.

This conversation provides a valuable framework for understanding the enduring power of open source and its potential to shape the future of our digital world. We explore how open-source culture, with its ethos of community-driven progress, has shaped projects like Solana and continues to inspire new technological advancements within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. Drawing parallels with the evolution of Linux, we imagine a world where AI not only automates tasks but also frees us to pursue personal and global aspirations.

This episode celebrates open source as a catalyst for innovation, embodying the spirit of collaboration and the shared endeavor to build a brighter technological future.

ABK Labs: https://abklabs.com/

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Can Blockchain Truly Revolutionize Telecommunications?

In this episode of The Index, Alex Kehaya chats with Coco Tang, General Manager of Helium Mobile, about how blockchain is transforming the telecom industry. From Helium’s origins as an IoT network to its ambitious leap into mobile, Coco dives into the challenges, milestones, and practical blockchain applications.

Helium Mobile stands out as the world’s first crypto carrier built on Solana, a high-performance blockchain. After migrating to Solana in April 2023, the Helium Network became faster, more affordable, and more stable. Solana now powers Helium Mobile’s token storage, demonstrating how blockchain can redefine connectivity.

As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Helium Mobile blends its decentralized network with T-Mobile’s infrastructure. This unique model allows users to earn tokens and even offset their phone bills—a game-changer in telecom.

Tune in to hear how Helium Mobile is disrupting the telecom landscape with its community-driven approach, proving that blockchain technology can empower individuals and redefine the way we stay connected.

Helium Mobile: https://hellohelium.com/

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Have you ever considered how many frontier models could exist if open source AI was monetizable? This is the core problem that Bagel solves, and co-founder Bidhan Roy is creating a way to make open source AI monetizable. In this episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya, and Bidhan dive into this groundbreaking vision and discuss a recent blog article highlighting innovative research from the Bagel team.

Founders and developers will gain insight into a significant breakthrough in verifiable inference spearheaded by Bagel. The episode details how verification times were reduced from 200 hours to just a minute through advanced fingerprinting and watermarking technologies—a decentralized AI model management milestone.

The discussion also navigates the trade-offs between scalability and accuracy, comparing probabilistic and deterministic systems. For developers working in fields like high-frequency trading or any area reliant on precision, understanding these trade-offs is crucial.

They explore the challenges of monetizing open-source AI, the role of verifiable inference, and how Bagel is building economic incentives to empower developers. Bidhan shares insights into the open-source community's potential to rival closed AI labs and explains how Bagel is shaping the future of decentralized AI networks. 

Tune in to learn how Bagel’s work transforms the open-source AI landscape and drives innovation forward.

Bagel website: https://www.bagel.net/

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What if open-source AI Could Be Both Powerful and Profitable?

In the first episode of Everything Bagel, Alex Kehaya sits down with Bidhan Roy, Founder & CEO of Bagel, a groundbreaking AI & Cryptography Research Lab that's making open-source AI monetizable.

Bidhan discusses how Bagel's innovative AI model architecture empowers anyone to contribute to open-source AI development while ensuring fair compensation for their work. Utilizing novel cryptographic techniques, Bagel's fine-tuning technology records the evolution of open-source AI models—tracking every contribution and rewarding every creator automatically.

By leveraging cryptography, Bagel addresses the current imbalance in AI development dominated by tech giants. The company is creating a new economic framework that incentivizes collaboration and fosters a thriving, decentralized AI ecosystem.

Enjoyed the conversation? Like and subscribe for the latest insights on AI & cryptography, and join the Bagel community to be part of the open-source AI revolution!

The future of monetizable open-source AI begins now.

Bagel: https://blog.bagel.net/
X: https://x.com/BagelOpenAI

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What if you could move assets seamlessly across multiple chains while prioritizing security and decentralization?

This week on The Index, we join Omar Zaki, CEO of Mantis, for a deep dive into how trust-minimized transactions are reshaping blockchain interactions. This conversation explores how Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) and zero-knowledge (zk) technology are driving the future of interoperable, secure, and efficient blockchain ecosystems.

Omar walks us through the collaborative ethos driving innovation within the SVM ecosystem and the open-source development that supports it. Looking ahead, we also explore the intersection of cryptocurrency, AI, and the self-custody revolution, touching on the growing interest in meme coins like GOAT and the potential for virtual marketplaces for AI agents to flourish.

This episode highlights the potential of crypto off-ramps, such as Bridge and FuseWallet, to transform small business operations through seamless transactions and reduced fees. As we explore these advancements, we are reminded of the exciting opportunities they present for earning yield and promoting crypto adoption in everyday business practices.

Mantis: https://x.com/mantis

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What if your watch could predict your next illness before you even felt sick?

This week on The Index, we welcome Jeffrey Schneider, former Program Manager at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), to discuss the future of wearable technology in defense and healthcare.

Discover how a project originally designed to detect chemical threats evolved into a critical health monitoring tool, capable of predicting illnesses days before symptoms appear. Powered by AI and machine learning, this innovation underscores the game-changing possibilities of data-driven healthcare in both military and civilian contexts.

Jeffrey highlights the role of rapid prototyping and public-private partnerships in adapting commercial technologies for military applications. He also addresses the challenges of securing sensitive health data using advanced solutions like zero-knowledge proofs and homomorphic encryption.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of wearable technology and its implications for public health. Jeffrey’s insights illustrate how defense innovations can drive advancements in healthcare, showcasing the transformative impact of cross-sector collaboration.

Learn more about the Defense Innovation Unit: https://www.diu.mil/

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What is the future of open-source development and AI Superintelligence? This week on The Index, we sit down with Dr. Steven Waterhouse, Founder & CEO of Nazare Ventures, to explore the challenges and opportunities within decentralized AI frameworks.

Join us as we venture into the world of AI infrastructure that’s pushing beyond traditional applications. Dr. Waterhouse will discuss the essential shift towards innovative models that move away from the typical AI tech stack, emphasizing decentralized solutions that merge cost-effectiveness with scalability.

Discover the expansive potential of open-source AI and how it mirrors the monumental shift away from proprietary systems seen during the dot-com era.

As we consider the broader consequences of AI, we examine the societal and ethical dilemmas posed by the rapid advancements in AI technologies. Tune in to gain insights from the frontier of AI innovation and decentralization, a conversation particularly relevant for developers in the open-source community.

Nazare Ventures: https://nazare.io/

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What if you could access the power of Ethereum without the hassle of high fees, slow transactions, or rewriting your applications—all while leveraging Solana's blazing speed and efficiency? On this episode of The Index, we’re joined by Andrey Falaleev, CTO of Neon Labs, to explore how the Neon EVM and Solana Signature SDK are reshaping blockchain interoperability.

Andrey shares how Neon Labs enables Ethereum dApps to integrate with the Solana ecosystem. Learn how this game-changing technology lets developers embrace Solana wallets like Phantom, eliminating the need for cumbersome asset bridges and enhancing the user experience.

Listen to the episode to learn the challenges and rewards of connecting two powerful blockchain networks, and how Neon EVM acts as a seamless extension rather than just a bridge. As Ethereum grapples with high costs and scalability issues, Andrey explains why Solana’s unique advantages pave the way for a more efficient and inclusive blockchain future.

Check out Neon Labs: https://neon-labs.org/

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What if the future of computing power wasn’t centralized but distributed across a global network? This week on The Index, we dive into the cutting-edge world of decentralized infrastructure with Kyle Okamoto, CTO of Aethir. Discover how Aethir’s revolutionary GPU cloud platform is reshaping both the AI and gaming landscapes, making enterprise-grade computing power secure, cost-effective, and accessible to innovators worldwide.

Kyle’s passion for tackling big-picture challenges shines as he unpacks Aethir’s mission to break the monopoly of traditional cloud giants. By empowering a global network of contributors, Aethir is creating more than just a service—it’s building an ecosystem where transparency, collaboration, and community involvement are the driving forces.

We explore how Aethir’s distributed model transforms tier 3 and tier 4 data centers into powerful hubs for applications like cloud gaming, AI training, and beyond—all while slashing costs and ensuring reliability. Kyle also reveals the mechanics behind Aethir’s unique rewards system, checker nodes, and how they provide security and efficiency across the network.

Also for developers, Kyle reveals Aethir’s exciting new $100-million ecosystem fund, aimed at helping builders create the next generation of groundbreaking games.

Tune in and discover how Aethir is not just reshaping the future of computing but leveling the playing field for innovators worldwide.

Learn more about Aethir: https://aethir.com/

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